Device for controlling a supply of water for irrigating and other purposes.



v PATENTED MAR. 10, 1908. R. G. KENNEDY. DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A SUPPLY OF WATER FOR IRRIGATING AND OTHER PURPOSES. APPLICATION FILED IYOV. 8, 1907.

.uNITED STATES PA E T OFFICE.

ROBERT GREIG KENNEpYpOF EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A SUPPLY OF WATER FOR IRRIGATING AND ()TEER PURPOSES. Y i

Specification of Letters lfatent.

Patented March 10, 1908.

Application filed November 8, 1907. Serial No. 401,331.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it-known that I,- ROBERT GREIG KEN- NEDY, a subject of His Majesty the King of England, residingat Edinburgh, Scotland,

,5 have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Controlling a Supply'of Water for Irrigation and other Purposes, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improved defor irrigation, wit the object of insuring either a fixed definite constant supply, however the conditions usually affecting the supply may vary, or' insuring aknown indicated supply for any given condition in", the supply channel, both of these requirements being met so as tosuit the practical working of irrigation. g

. In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation parallel to the flow, of a device embodying my invention and drawn more or less diagrammatically to simplify description. Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof on line A,A of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a modified form! of my invention. Fi 4 is a part plan thereof. Fig. 5 a front e evation looking in the direction of the arrow on Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line BB of Fig. 4.

The device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 may be termed a reflux module and is adapted for use at the -head of a distributary or Laterall and iscapable of regulation by the'canalstafi so as to continue any desired discharge, even when the conditions change and would take off from some feeder channel of which M (Fig. 1) is either the side, ora chamber connected with the said'channel by any ordinary gate or planks, the latter not being shown.- The supply from M passes through a dividing wall N into abell mouthed aperture at M, forming the entrance to a flume M, M, M, or exit way preferably rectangular in section (as shown inFig. 2) and thence into the outfall Q,. U to the point M, the height and waterway 0 this fiume is constant, but beyond this it splays out in a wedge sha ed form M M,,'into a larger water way, so t at for a'given discharge passin out the velocity is necessarily greatest in M and decreases thereafter until it reaches its minimum at M,. The level in M may vary between L, and L but is here taken pro tem as being at L,; the outfall level being presumed at L though it may sink to L as vice for controllinglthe distribution of watera minimum when the lowest discharge is passing into the" outfall Q,. The'diiference of level in M and Q, is-shown as h,,-and this is the head which causes the outflow alon M, M M I A joining the wall N are two stand pipes K, (Figs. 1 and 2) open at the topto the'air and connected to the part M, M, of the fiume M, M M at the bottom, so that the flowing water in the latter rises in these pipes to a certain level-shown as L, this ing calculable theoretically from the values of h, and the waterway and shape or form of the fiume. The dischar e passing can also be calculated from the iflerence of level in M and in K, viz. that between -L and L, in

eight bethis case, which is shown as h, in Fig. 1,

the waterway in M, M being of course also known. In order to readily observe this difference. of level h a suitable differential gage is employed a convenient form of which is shown in Fig. 2 and consists of the two Sim-- ilar pipes K, and'a central pipe K in which latter the water standing is connected with and stands at the same level as that in M; 4 'e.

L,.here. In each of these three pipes floats f,f, and f 8 with li ht vertical rods attached S, S and S, rise an fall as the corresponding levels vary in K, and K,. The top of the rods S, and S, are hinged lightly on to a horizontal rod S,; and the rod S, passes loosely through a holein S,. On S, is marked a scale, which would read zero .at the crossin of S, when all three tubes had the same love of water in them and the arran ementis such that when not at the same evel, the scale would indicatethedifierence of level of water in K and that in the two similar tubes K, (where both the latter would usually have the same level) i. (3. it would indicate h Instead however of graduating this scale S, to these values of h the values of the discharge passing 1n cubic'feet per second will be so aduated, (as this-depends directly on h an is calculable therefrom) that a glance .at the scale S, at any time will show the discharge passing at that moment.

Obviously any form of differential gage can be used, or if-desired one ofthe or inary self-recording charts of discharge could be attached. The discharge would ordmarily vary as the level of water in M changed and in order to keep it constant under such fluctuations the followin weir device is used. Part of the outflow is a lowed to flow back rigidly connected with it, at the end of w ch loose adjustable weights w can be placed as required, these latter keeping the shutter in equilibrium a ainst the water pressure from the outfall The action would be as follows: Suppose that with the level in M at L, it is required to deliver a discharge of D cubicfeet per second. If on reading the scale S, it is found that more than D is passing then the weights w are decreased thus allowing the pressure of the water in Q, -on the shutter G to force the latter more open and permit more water to pass through a, into Q thus raising the level L and increasing the reflux into M, M and increasing the pressure there and at the pipe K, so that less discharge can pass in at M,; the increased-level at L, indicating at once on the scale S, what this decrease really is. This adjustmentKor its reverse) would be continued till the required discharge D was obtained and read on S,, and thereafter any variations in discharge due to fluctuations in level at L would be automatically corrected by the opening or closing of G in exactly the same way as just described. Thus if the level at L sank, less discharge would temporarily pass out, the level in-Q, would slowly sink, giving a decreased pressure on G causin it to partly close, thus diminishing the re ux water and lowerin the pressure in M, M and therefore also t e level in K,, so that a greater discharge again flows. .The arrangement is such that any very small change of level in Q, causes a comparatively large increase of waterway at a,, so that the error must always be very small. Any excessive fluctuation in level at L would ordinarily be corrected by adjusting the head gate or planks on the distributary bank, in the comparatively few cases where such occur.

Instead of the shutter G being a swinging one it could be made a simple board without the arm a, or weights 'w, and simply capable of being movedu or down as an ordinary weir plank, .over t e top of.which any excess rise in Q, would spill back into Q,,. In this case the top. C would be adjusted higher orlower so as to vary the reflux overflow as required, there being no opening at a,.

The principal advantages of such a device may be set forth as below 2-- (1.) Instead of having to gage the discharge by a small head it, (as is usually done) much too small for correct results; an artito gage and indicate the discharge passing through the part of flume of smallest section, and not merely the head h the former being calculated from the latter.

(3.) The direct indicating of the discharge ona differential gage and scale so as to read off at a glance the actual discharge passing at any moment.

(4. By means of reflux water and an adjustable weir to provide means for adjusting the discharge to any figure required, and thereafter any fluctuations in the source of supply, which would otherwise cause error, being automatically adjusted so as to keep the required discharge practically constant.

The modified form of device illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 and which may be termed a "meter outlet" is on the same )rinciples as the air, and below opening into the flume at M,, where the latter is given an enlarged con; ical section. Into this conical chamber the jet from M, enters through the smallest diameter of flume where the area will be very carefully measured and form the basis of calculations. There will be here no reflux water and K,'will usually have no water in it serving merely as an opening to the air and to,

carry a scale S, onits upper part on the edge of the distributary M. The design and the dimensions and form of M, M M will be calculated so that with a minimum small working head h,, there. will never be any pressure head on the jet when it enters the conical chamber at M,, i. e. no pressure over the atmospheric pressure, or in other words no water would ever stand in K,. To facilitate inspection by eye or rod as to this being so, the pipe K, is preferably laced on one side, so as to be over the side of jet. Should however'this minimum head It, increase, then the tendency would be for the pressure at M to become negative 5.. e. 'less than the atmospheric pressure, but this is prevented by K,

the device as an orifice (at M 'leadin into the open air from a vessel represented y M.

The discharge would then simply, for a given size of orifice at M depend on the height of the supply level L above the center of the orifice, 'L. e. on h (Fig. 3), andbe therefore entirely independent of the level in the outfall Q so long as not less than the minimum h, obtained. Should less than h exist then water would rise in K thus indicating to all concerned that the head was insufficient, and that either the outfall Q must be cleared out or the supply level raised. The neces-' sary calculations as to h h, and section of flume and the like are all simple and Well known to theory. Since the discharge for any. given sized orifice simply de ends on h the outside of K can be used' an graduated as a scale, showing not only the heads h but also directly the discharges calculated from these values of h so that the water level at L or any other level would indicate on the scale the discharge assing, quiteindependlevel would ordinarily be the norma full supply level in the distributary which usually in well established channels does not vary much; should it however so vary after long use then all that is wanted is to dig out the whole and replace at the new required level. For supplies less than the full supply less discharge would be given by the outlet e. as the available supply in the feeder channel fell so also would the outfall discharges proportionately decrease, and be indicated on the scale. The principal advantages of this modified device are 1. That an artificially increased head of water obtained, by employing a flume or pipe of contracted and s layed out shape, such head being muc larger than the head or difierence of level in the supply and outfall channels usually observed, whereby greatly increased accuracy of measurement is possible 'L. (4., h is obtained instead of k as a gage of the discharge.

2. By' employing a stand pipe K for admltti air pressure all roun the most contracte waterway of the pi e, the dischar e A assing out is rendered in ependent oft e evel in the outfall and therefore beyond the interference of the persons interested in, the upp y- I 3. By providing a graduated discharge scale and utilizing the above artificial head h in the manner described, the actual discharge passing at any moment is indicated.

4. The obtaining of any desired discharge fall leve for a given level of supply by merely lacing the whole apparatus on a certain in icated level below the supply level in the distributary. (For levels in the su ply channels lower or higher than that fixe in (4.) the discharge will decrease or increase proportionately asthe supply does '2. e. a proportional indicated discharge will be given).

It is to be understood that the expression flume as used in the claims is intended to apply to any form of conduit, passage, pipe, or equivalent adapted to connect the supfply and outfall channels and having the e ect and for the urpose setforth in the specification, and li ewise the expression dividing wall", is intended to apply to any bank or like structure se arating the supply chan-.

nel from the outfal channel.

What I claim is 1. In devices for controlling water supply and in combination, a flume having contracted and expanded parts connecting a supply channel with an outfall channel, whereby an artificially increased head of water is obtained, means for insuring that the discharge passing out is independent of the outfall level, and means for utilizing the artificial head of water to indicate .the dis charge passing at any moment.

2. In devices for controlling watersupply and in combination, a flume having contracted and expanded parts for connecting a sup ly channel with an outfall channel, where y an artificially increased head of water is obtained, a stand pipe opening into said flume, and means for utilizing the arti- .ficial head of water to indicate the discharge passing at any moment.

I 3. vIn devices for controlling water supply and in combination, a flume having contracted and expanded parts for connecting a sup ly channel with an outfall channel,

where y an artificially increased head of Water is obtained, a stand 1pipe opening into said ,flume and open to t e air, and a scale for indicating the discharge passing to the outfall at any moment.

4. In devices for controlling water supply and' in combination, a flume of va diameter for connecting a supply channe with an outfall channel toobtain an artificially increased head of water, a stand pipe opening into said flume, and a gage for indicating the discharge passing at any moment.'

and in combination, a flume of varying 'd1- ameter-having a bell mouthed opening for connecting a supply channel with an outfall channel to obtain an artificially increased head of water, means for insuring that the dischar e passing is independent of the outand means for utiliz' the artificial head of water to indicate the discharge passing at any moment.

6. In devices for controlling water supply andin combination, a flume of varying diameter for connecting a supply channel with an outfall channel to obtain an artificially increased head of water, a dividing wall between the su ply and outfall channels out of which said 11118 opens, a stand pipe opening into said fiume, and means for indicating the discharge passing at any moment.

7. In devices for controlling water supply and in combination, a fiume of varying diameter for connecting a supply channel with an outfall channel to obtain an artificially increased head of water, a dividing wall between the su ply and outfall channels out of which said flume opens, a plurality of stand pipes opening into said fiume and means for indicating the discharge passing at any moment.

8. In devices for controlling water supply and in combination a flume of varying diameter for connecting a supply channel with an outfall channel to obtain an artificially increased head of water, a dividing wall between the supply and outfall channels out of which said flume opens, a lurality of stand pipes opening into said ume, floats in said stand pipes and an indicating device acting in conjunctionwith said floats to register the discharge passing at any moment.

9. In devices for controlling water suppl and in combination, a fiume of varying diameter for connecting a supply channel with an outfall channel and having openings therein connecting with the outfall channel, a dividing wall between the sup ly and outfall channels, a plurality of stan pipes opening into said fiume on the supply side of the aforesaid openings in the fiume, means for indicating the discharge passing at any mo,- ment, and an adjustable weir device connecting the outfall with the aforesaid openin s for keeping the discharge constant.

11 testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT GREIG KENNEDY.

Witnesses: AULDA FRASER,

CHRISTINA MARQUIS. 

